RESUMEN
Introduction: Subarachnoid block is commonly used for lower limb and lower abdominal surgeries. This study compares the efficacy of intrathecal ropivacaine and bupivacaine with fentanyl for these surgeries
Methodology: A prospective randomized controlled study was carried out on 100 randomly selected patients between 18-75 years, undergoing lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries under spinal anesthesia. Group R received plain ropivacaine [0.75%] 15 mg and Group B re-ceived plain bupivacaine [0.5%] 10 mg with 20 ug fentanyl each intrathecally. The upper and lower spread of sensory block was determined using loss of sensation to pin prick and motor block assessed with Modified Bromage Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Stu-dent's t-test for quantitative data and Chi-square test for qualitative data
Results: The difference in age, height and weight was not statistically significant in the par-ticipants of the two groups. The gender distribution and ASA classification were comparable in two groups and there was no significant difference. The onset time of sensory block was 5.26 +/- .986 vs. 6.24 +/- 1.001min in Group B and Group R respectively [< 0.001]. Duration of senso-ry blockade was not significantly different [191.38 +/- 3.562 vs. 191.24 +/- 3.414 min [p = 0.841]] in two groups. The onset of motor blockade was significantly rapid in Group B compared to Group R [9.72 ± 1.691 vs. 3.18 +/- 2.569 min [p < 0.001]]. The mean duration of Grade III motor block was sig-nificantly low in Group R compared to Group B [102.04 min vs. 157.46 min], as was the mean duration for motor block [121.04 vs. 189.92 min] in Group R and Group B [p < 0.001]
Conclusion: Spinal anesthesia with intrathecal ropivacaine 15 mg provides faster motor re-covery as compared with bupivacaine 10 mg, making it more suitable for ambulatory lower extremity and lower abdominal surgeries of short duration?